India’s Education Minister resigns amid mounting youth protests
'Do not mess with cockroaches': CJP vows to fight until remaining demands are fulfilled
New Delhi : India’s Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday resigned from his post, marking a major victory for the nationwide youth protest movement that had demanded he quit to take responsibility for examination paper leaks.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Pradhan announced his resignation in a statement posted on X, saying he had submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi amid escalating protests across India.
“Considering the situation that has developed at Jantar Mantar and across the country, I have sent my resignation to the honourable prime minister,” Pradhan said in his statement.
The announcement came as police fired tear gas to scatter young protesters in New Delhi, hours before their leaders were set to hold another round of talks with government ministers.
The self-styled Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which has spearheaded the anti-government protests, welcomed the development, posting on its X account, “Cockroaches won.. Democracy won!”
A statement by CJP Founder Abhijeet Dipke said, “This is democracy. He has resigned.” However, he added, “We have two more demands. We won’t go like this.”
Addressing youth protesters, Dipke demanded that the families of all students who reportedly took their own lives after the exam leak should receive 10 million Indian rupees in compensation. “This [resignation] is for them,” he said, pointing towards a banner with the pictures of 20 students whom activists say died following the exam leak. Secondly, he demanded that action be taken against police officials involved in the July 20 crackdown on protesters. “Remember, do not mess with cockroach,” he cautioned.
Dipke also called for all cases registered against students to be withdrawn. “We are cockroaches. Once it enters, it does not leave,” he quipped.
Another post by CJP listed three demands as “pending”, with the third being a public apology from the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and Delhi Police. He further said, “When we rise above Hindu and Muslim politics and talk about issues, then it will be good for the country.”
Supporters of CJP, including the opposition Congress party, welcomed Pradhan’s resignation.
Activist Sonam Wangchuk, who ended his 26-day hunger strike yesterday, hailed the resignation as a “victory of democracy”.
“It’s a victory of peace, patience & persévérance,” he wrote, congratulating CJP and the Gen Z of India.
The ongoing protests, triggered by examination paper leaks and demands for accountability, have evolved into the biggest youth-led challenge to Narendra Modi’s government since it assumed power in 2014. Opposition parties have backed the protesters’ demands and disrupted proceedings in the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament in support of the movement.
